Chapter 2

Mildred stared at the memorial portrait on the desk, and her gaze instantly turned ice-cold. She snatched the frame and slammed it to the ground.

"Did you have to go this far, Zachary? You were the one at fault for donating a defective heart to Orion, and now, you're putting on this whole show just to lie to me. I can't believe you photoshopped a memorial portrait for yourself. Don't you think that's sick?"

No one replied. Instead, the candle in front of the memorial portrait flickered slightly.

She threw a punch straight at the portrait. The glass shattered into shards, sending the photograph slipping out of its frame.

She bent over, picked up the black-and-white photograph, and cast a disgusted look at it before tossing it into a nearby brazier. It immediately caught fire, and the corners curled into ash as the flames seemed to lick my face.

Right then, a noise came from behind Mildred. She turned with a cold smirk on her lips. "So, you finally found some shame. Get out here."

The door burst open from the outside. An elderly woman rushed in, brandishing a heavy meat cleaver and swinging it at her.

"You shameless monster! How dare you come looking for our Zach!"

The cleaver flashed as Mildred shifted aside just in time to dodge it. She grabbed the woman's wrist and twisted hard, knocking the cleaver to the floor.

"Where did this crazy old hag come from? Do you have any idea who I am?" Mildred shouted.

Floating in the air, I paced frantically. "Yolanda! Don't mess with her for me!"

But caught up in the scuffle, neither of them could hear a word I said.

Mildred shoved Yolanda Schmitt away and looked down at her condescendingly. "You old hag, you're the one hiding Zachary, aren't you?"

She brushed the dust off her sleeves, and her gaze was full of disdain. "Tell him to get his ass out here and come with me to face the court. If he does, I might just overlook this ridiculous stunt he pulled."

Yolanda stumbled a few steps before catching her balance. Her eyes were bloodshot as she glared back at Mildred.

"How dare you! Zach's been dead for three years. Not only did you rip his heart out, but now you're dragging him to court for the sake of that damn cyborg!"

Mildred's face fell. "Who said you can keep wishing death on Zachary?"

As she stepped closer, she continued in an icy voice, "And get your facts straight. He voluntarily donated that heart and intentionally gave Orion a faulty one, causing him years of pain. Shouldn't he be held responsible?"

Trembling with rage, Yolanda bent down to grab the cleaver again, but Mildred kicked it away and drove her foot into Yolanda's torso.

Yolanda collapsed to the ground and couldn't get back up.

"Yolanda, you're hurt! I'm here to help!"

Another woman burst through the door. Her eyes were vacant and unfocused, but she threw herself in front of Yolanda to shield her. Then, she lunged at Mildred and sank her teeth deep into Mildred's arm.

"Bite the bad guys! Leave Zach and Yolanda alone! No hurting them!"

Mildred grabbed Mabel Schmitt by her hair and yanked her back. Still, Mabel thrashed wildly with her jaw clamped tight.

Winching in pain, Mildred slapped Mabel hard across the face. The force sent Mabel crashing onto the floor, and she stopped moving altogether.

Up above, I panicked and dove downward, but my hands just kept passing through their bodies.

"Stop hurting Mabel! Please, I'm begging you! Stop hitting her!"

But no one could hear me.

Mildred looked down at Mabel and let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, I see. She's a simpleton."

She looked up and scanned the dilapidated shack before landing her gaze back on the vacant-eyed Mabel. "I haven't seen you in years, Zachary, and you've taken a cripple as your sister. Are you really that starved for love?"

When I still hadn't appeared, she yelled at her surroundings, "I know you're watching. Since you care so much about this idiot and crazy old hag, I won't hold back."

Two bodyguards stepped forward and started ruthlessly kicking and punching Yolanda and Mabel where they lay. Mabel didn't make a sound as she stayed firmly in front of Yolanda to protect her.

Yolanda raised her head, her voice full of hatred.

"What a fool…" she wheezed, forcing out each word. "My poor Zach… How could you end up with a monster like her for a sister?"

Mildred was livid. "Hit them harder! Did you guys skip breakfast?"

At her command, the bodyguards intensified their assault.

Pinned to the ground, Mabel raised her head with great difficulty and said, "Stop it… Zach really went to the other side. You'll never find him again."

Mildred sneered, crouched down, and forcefully yanked Mabel's face up by the chin.

"Since you all love to insist Zachary's dead, where's his body? Drag it here and put it right in front of me if you can!"